E132: I’d Never Made More Than $3K a Month: Dylan Spradlin on Breaking the Group Practice Mold & Charging $200 as a Play Therapist.

In this episode, we’re speaking with Dylan Spradlin, a synergetic play therapist and LIMB grad who was determined to leave burnout and low pay behind—before they were even fully licensed.

Dylan’s journey takes us through group practice exploitation, fee fears, and a bumpy transition to private pay that ultimately paid off. 

If you’re a newer therapist or a play therapist wondering if premium fees are even possible—this episode will show you exactly how it’s done.

Listen to the episode:

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In this episode, Dylan will share:

What it was like to see 26–29 clients a week—with eight minutes between sessions—and why they couldn’t stay;

How they transitioned out of a toxic group practice just seven months in;

The fee experiment they ran with sliding scale and the emotional rollercoaster that followed;

Why they signed up for LIMB before they were licensed—and how it changed everything;

How they finally started earning beyond $3K/month (for the first time in their life).

More about Dylan

Dylan Spradlin holds master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Social Work, specializing in prenatal and perinatal psychology, trauma and play therapy. Based in Missoula, Montana, they work with infants, teens, families, and parents healing from their own childhood experiences. Dylan is certified in Synergetic Play Therapy and NARM, integrating relational neuroscience, deep attunement, authenticity, somatics, and attachment theory to support powerful transformation.

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About the podcast

The Money Sessions podcast by Tiffany McLain, LMFT is full of deep, thoughtful, and sometimes raw conversations with real therapists who are in the midst of leaning into raising fees and making bank – all while working with the clients they are passionate about serving.

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